Help with Jira Software, Jira Service Management & Confluence
The 2019 Atlassian Summit user conference took place in the Mandalay Bay Conference Center. On April 9-11, over 5,000 customers, Solution Partners, and Atlassians descended on the city of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Continue reading “Atlassian Summit 2019 in Pictures”Will you be at Atlassian Summit, in Las Vegas, from April 9-11, 2019? Meet Rachel Wright and win her Jira Strategy Admin Workbook or one of her 30 minute, role or skill based, online training courses!
Rachel is hosting a photo challenge in the Summit mobile app. Post a photo of the completed challenge and tag @Rachel Wright for a chance to win! The more challenges you complete the better your chances. Creative posts receive bonus points! Download the Summit mobile app from the Google Play or iOS Store.
Additionally, find Rachel and win in the following locations:
Also spot Rachel and Chris Lutz walking the conference floor, in the Atlassian Community Lounge, attending sessions, and enjoying Summit!
Is this your first Summit? This is my eighth! Attend the First-Timer Welcome Reception to hear survival tips from Summit alumni and Atlassian Community Champions Rachel Wright and Fabian Lopez. The reception is on Tue, Apr 9 at 3:00 PM in the Mandalay Bay Shoreline Expo Hall. First time in Las Vegas? See my Summit Travel Guide.
Not at Summit? Use coupon code SUMMIT for 15% off your order in the Strategy for Jira store!
The Jira Strategy Admin Workbook is different – it’s not documentation. It’s over 150 recommendations that stem from years of cleaning up horrible Jira configurations. This book includes 32 real life examples of what NOT to do, over 50 worksheets to get you organized, and templates, code snippets, and wording samples to help you establish and streamline processes.
Summit is the grand Atlassian event of the year. With the palpable enthusiasm of the employees, the knowledge of the presenters, and the immense networking opportunities, this is the place to experience all that is Atlassian. Add the next annual event to your calendar now. Visit summit.atlassian.com for details.
Announcement: The in-person Summit user conference in Las Vegas, is suspended for 2020. There will be an online, remote event instead. Please read Atlassian’s Summit 2020 FAQ.
Updated for Summit 2020!
My two favorite things in life are Atlassian Summit and travel! Atlassian’s flagship event, the annual user conference, is in Las Vegas Nevada this March. This will be my ninth Summit and my fifth trip to Vegas! By now I know a lot about both and am excited to share my conference travel tips.
Date: March 31 – April 2 in Las Vegas, NV
Location: Mandalay Bay South Convention Center
3950 South Las Vegas Boulevard Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
Read more: summit.atlassian.com
Closest Airport: McCarran International (LAS)
5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Driving Directions to Conference (2.3 miles)
The Mandalay Bay Convention Center is connected to the Mandalay Bay hotel. You’ll be indoors, but it’s a long walk from the hotel elevators to the conference area. I recommend wearing good walking shoes and considering what you’ll carry with you. You won’t want to return to your room many times during the day.
Directions
From the front desk, walk past the guest elevators to the casino floor. Follow the pathway on left-hand side. Continue straight on the cobblestone walkway. You’ll see the pool and beach out the windows on your left. Continue past the Border Grill restaurant and the food court. The entrance to the Convention Center is straight ahead. Look for folks holding Atlassian Summit directional signs. See the property map here. (.pdf format)
The Delano hotel is also an indoors walk to the conference area.
TIP
Make a checklist list of what you plan to accomplish and who you’re hoping to meet at Summit. What do you want to learn from Atlassian? Which Solution Partners will you seek out? I always have a list of names, contact information, and where I might find each person or company.
Las Vegas is a 24 hour city in the middle of the desert. It’s hot, dusty, expensive, exciting, thrilling, and like no other place I’ve been. Here are some tips to help you get around while you’re in town for the Atlassian conference.
The conference is located in an area of Vegas known as “the Strip.” Most of the iconic pictures you’ve seen are probably of this area. The Strip is 4 miles (6.4 k) long and stretches from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere Tower. There’s also an area 10 miles (16 k) north known as “downtown”, “old Vegas”, or “Fremont Street”. I’ve stayed in both areas and love them for different reasons. Both have an abundance of casinos, glitz, food, and entertainment opportunities. When you’ve done everything you wanted to do on the Strip, head downtown for a different vibe.
Read: Faceoff: Downtown Vegas vs the Strip
Read: Head to Old Downtown Vegas for Fremont Street and Great Food
If you’re staying on or near the Strip, there’s no need to rent a car. Parking is difficult and traffic is plentiful. Most casinos charge for parking and its never cheap. Instead, use a taxi or a ride-share service, like Uber or Lyft. Download and create an account in one of these mobile apps before you arrive. Taxis don’t stop on the Strip; catch one from a casino or hotel instead.
Bring good walking shoes and expect to walk a lot. Casino properties are huge and are further apart then they look. Your steps add up while you’re weaving between them and traversing pedestrian foot bridges. There’s a great map of all the major casinos here (.pdf format).
I know some of you have planned a pilgrimage to In-N-Out Burger (fast food hamburgers) on Dean Martin Dr. Please don’t attempt to walk there; it’s not as close as it appears. Also, there are plenty of other (cheap and expensive) hamburger options.
There’s an elevated, electric tram between the Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and the Excalibur casinos. Get on the free Mandalay Bay Tram from the north east corner of the conference casino, past Starlight Tattoo and the House of Blues Restaurant & Bar. Information on other casino trams is available here.
Whether you’re walking or driving, always be aware of your surroundings. There’s a lot of activity and a lot of distractions. The traffic lights operate differently here than in other states. If I remember correctly, the green left turn light fires after the straight light turns red. Always cross the street in marked locations or use pedestrian bridges. Be especially careful if you stop at the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada” sign. It is literally in the middle of a busy road. In 2008 they added 12 parking spaces which are accessible when heading away from the Strip.
Mandalay Bay, our conference hotel, has table games and slots, 30 restaurants, a Starbucks, and loads of entertainment and nightlife options. It also features the Shark Reef Aquarium ($25 USD), a 1.6 million gallon wave pool with a quarter-mile-long lazy river (free for hotel guests, $20 for non-hotel guests Mon-Thurs), and shopping at Mandalay Place. The property is huge! See the property map here. (.pdf format)
If you’re in Vegas for additional non-conference days, I encourage you to venture out and explore the other casinos as well. Each one has a unique flavor and interesting things to see. I love the steam rising from manhole covers at New York New York, the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, and the canals of Venice at the Venetian. It’s not as amazing the real thing, but it’s still fun to see.
Many casinos and hotels have both free and paid attractions and shows. The most popular free attraction is the water, music, and light show called “Fountains of Bellagio” at the Bellagio. See other free attractions here.
Paid shows are numerous. My favorite is Le Rêve, a water, fire, swimming, and acrobatics show. I saw it on my very first Vegas trip and saw it again last year. You can’t go wrong with a production show like Le Rêve or a Cirque de Soleil show like “O“. They are also variety shows, magic shows, adult entertainment, comedy shows, concerts, and special interest performances like Zombie Burlesque!
When researching entertainment, the first place I look is the “Things to do” area of TripAdvisor. Also get ideas on sites like: lasvegasnevada.gov, vegas.com, and visitlasvegas.com.
Atlassian feeds you well on conference days, so you won’t have to worry about food. But on other days, there’s no shortage of options or cuisines for every budget.
For an “all you can eat” or variety experience, the legendary Vegas buffets are the place to be. My top three favorites are: Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan, The Buffet at Wynn (especially their Friday and Saturday “seafood spectacular”), and Le Village Buffet at Paris. For similar food at a cheaper price, eat at lunch time instead.
Last year I visited the Eataly Italian marketplace at MGM. Eataly is in 12 countries but the Vegas location just opened in Dec 2018. It is a foodie dream! This year, I’m excited to try dining in the dark at Blackout. Chris Lutz is also looking forward to getting he uni (sea urchin) fix at Nobu at the Hard Rock.
The air is very dry in this part of the United States. Avoid dehydration by drinking more water than normal.
It’s easy to exceed your budget if you don’t limit your expenses. The sales tax in Las Vegas is 8.375%, so don’t forget to factor that in. Also, don’t forget about the daily resort fee that’s added to your hotel cost. At Mandalay Bay, the daily fee is $39 plus tax. Both of these rates increased slightly since Summit last year. Gratuities add up too. Here’s a guide to tipping in Vegas.
TIPS
I once had a debit card and a credit card, from two different banks, declined at the same shop. This was very inconvenient. Prevent it by taking action before your trip.
Las Vegas has a free-for-all reputation. But many things you may have heard are legal simply aren’t. I encourage you to do you own research and check out the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s website for official information.
Also, cameras are everywhere (even outside.) Don’t recreate the movie The Hangover!
Do you have extra time in Vegas? A few days under glittering casino lights may have you craving time outdoors. There are many neat places nearby to visit. You’ll need a rental car or to join one of the many tours that leave from Vegas. I recommend arranging tours online before you arrive.
I recommend:
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
A 13 mile scenic drive with stunning canyon views
Cost: $15 per vehicle
Distance from convention center: 21.5 miles
Notes: The route has tolls
Valley of Fire State Park
Bright red Aztec sandstone nestled in gray and tan limestone mountains
Cost: $10 per vehicle
Distance from convention center: 55.2 miles
Notes: Your last chance to stock up on fuel and water is at the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza at the corner of I-15 N and Valley of Fire Highway.
Hoover Dam
A concrete arch-gravity dam in the on the border between NV and AZ
Cost: $15 per person (tour)
Distance from convention center: 37 miles
Death Valley National Park
Known for its ghost town, colorful rocks, sand dunes, and salt flats
Cost: $30 per vehicle
Distance from convention center: Over 100 miles
I’ve been on an RV road trip since May 2015. I work from home, and “home” is wherever I park for the week, month, or quarter! By the time Summit begins, I’ll be in my 58th city. I track all my RV trip planning details in Confluence, but when there are flights involved, I track those trips in Tripit Pro. I like this service because it monitors flights, alerts me when gates change, turns confirmation emails into travel entries, has both a web and mobile version, and keeps me organized. There’s no wrong way to craft an itinerary, just make sure you have one, it works for you, and it’s easy to access when you need it.
TIP
I store my trip packing list in Confluence. I print it out or check off items on my phone as they go into my travel bag. On my most recent trekking adventure in Spain, I used Trello, which worked well too.
I also plan conference specific activities with the Summit mobile app. Look for it listed as “Atlassian Events” in the Google Play or iOS store. Use the agenda feature to plan sessions and activities, the map to help you find your way to a Solution Partner’s booth, and the messaging feature to connect with fellow attendees.
Many of us are still tagging each other and chatting away in the app long after the event has ended.
My “do’s and don’ts” to increase safety while traveling are:
DO
In 2016, the date of Summit changed to the same week I was scheduled to be on vacation in Iceland. I canceled my vacation, got reimbursed for my expenses, and attended the conference. I’ve only had to use insurance once and I was sure glad to have it! Your credit card might include travel insurance. Mine once allowed me to cancel a flight at the last minute with no penalty.
DON’T
I once witnessed a demonstration in Buenos Aires. My travel companions wanted to move closer and see what it was about! Not smart. I talked them out of it.
Scammers are everywhere tourists are. Beware of pick pockets, especially in busy areas where people are easily distracted. (Example: Fremont Street) Store your money in separate locations so if you lose some you don’t lose it all. Keep your passport locked in the the hotel safe. Finally, beware of people asking for financial help.
One time I was in Vegas, a man followed me into the elevator and told me he just lost his wallet and needed my help. It was most certainly a scam.
Finally, don’t walk around town wearing your conference badge!
It shows you’re a tourist and probably don’t know your surroundings. But remember to bring your badge to get into conference events, like Summit Bash.
Passport
Thankfully I only have recommendations and no passport-specific horror stories to share.
TIPS
Have you: Been stuck on a plane? Made an emergency landing in an unexpected city? Been trapped in an airport for an extended time? All have happened to me. Always plan for the worst and hope for the best.
TIPS
These came in handy while stuck on the tarmac in Costa Rica. Supplies on my grounded plane dwindled quickly.
These provided welcome comfort on many cold flights and while I was stuck in South Carolina and Peru airports. I use a sleeping bag liner from ALPS Mountaineering. It’s warm, soft, and rolls up to fit in my backpack’s water bottle holder. I’ve used it as a blanket, sleeping bag, pillow, towel, and a makeshift changing room.
I’ve yet to discover the perfect travel pillow. Last year I tested out the ComfoArray but decided it wasn’t for me. The Nemo pillow I tried the trip before is great for camping, but not for airplanes. The search continues…
I once took a flight from Brownsville International Airport in Texas. I thought “international” meant “large airport with lots of services”. I planned to check in early, get lunch, and maybe get a massage. Instead, I arrived at a one-gate airport where the security line didn’t open until just before the flight. There were no services or stores. There was a vending machine but I had no cash. I was 3 hours early for no reason. #fail
I travel very light, bringing only the things I absolutely can’t live without. Consider what you packed on your last trip but didn’t use. Leave those items at home. Most things can be obtained or borrowed from a fellow conference attendee.
I truly believe there are only two types of luggage: carry on and lost!
My bag was lost after an 18 hour flight. When the airline finally found and delivered the bag, it was someone else’s! After that experience, I always carry my own luggage.
Have you ever seen a family lugging a cart of bags around the airport? How about someone with the entire set of nesting suitcases? Don’t be that traveler!
I used to bring a backpack and a small roller bag until I noticed my boyfriend only carried a backpack. Now I only bring one backpack and I make sure I can comfortably carry its weight. I’ve spent hundreds of dollars testing out suitcases and travel bags. The very best is my $60 USD High Sierra Access Backpack. I take it to every Summit and every adventure like my 100 mile walk on the Camino de Santiago, in Spain.
TIP
Make a game of packing. Each trip, see how few items you can bring and how much weight you can reduce. I try for a total weight of ~20 pounds (9 kg), regardless of trip duration. On long hikes, I try to stay under 10% of my body weight.
Other reasons not to over pack: airlines charge for carry on luggage or heavy luggage, and you’ll want to be able to fit the new t-shirts you acquire at Summit!
A small amount of planning and organization will help you get the most out of this super event. Read my survival tips for things to do before, during, and after Summit to make this your best conference experience ever!
Have a great flight and I’ll see you at Summit!
Also see: Atlassian Summit 2019 in Pictures
Can’t attend this year? Start your campaign for next year with: How to Get your Boss to Send you to the Atlassian Summit User Conference
I’ve attended Atlassian Summit since 2013 and as a frequent attendee, I’m always excited to see what’s new each year. Each Summit is totally different. Over the years the venues have changed, the focus, content and activities have changed, and most of all I’ve changed. Join me as I recap my Summit journey.
Will you be at Atlassian Summit 2016, in San Jose, California, the week of October 10, 2016? Come by and meet Rachel Wright, author of the JIRA Strategy Admin Workbook!
Find Rachel in a green or brown JIRA Strategy t-shirt in the following locations:
The JIRA Strategy Admin Workbook is different – it’s not documentation. It’s over 150 recommendations that stem from years of cleaning up horrible JIRA configurations. This book includes 32 real life examples of what NOT to do, over 50 worksheets to get you organized, and templates, code snippets, and wording samples to help you establish and streamline processes.
Summit is the grand Atlassian event of the year. With the palpable enthusiasm of the employees, the knowledge of the presenters, and the immense networking opportunities, this is the place to experience all that is Atlassian. Add the next annual event to your calendar now. Visit summit.atlassian.com for details.
